By Jariatu Lamin
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, on Wednesday lauded the work of prominent development partners, including BRAC, AVSI and Clinton Health Access Initiative, at the opening of a joint information initiative organised by the Ministry and the Sierra Leone Association of Non‑Governmental Organisations (SLANGO).
Speaking at the event, Barlay highlighted the vital role of non‑governmental organisations in supporting national development priorities, particularly in areas such as health, education, women’s empowerment and community resilience. She described the initiative as an important platform for transparency and collaboration between government and civil society. 
Barlay reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing partnerships with NGOs to strengthen implementation of Sierra Leone’s Medium‑Term National Development Plan and progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She urged organisations to continue aligning their programmes with national priorities and stressed the importance of information sharing to improve public understanding of development efforts. 
Representatives of BRAC, AVSI and CHAI were present to discuss their respective programmes and explore avenues for deeper engagement with government ministries and local communities. 
The Ministry’s NGO Directorate, responsible for coordinating civil society activities and monitoring compliance with national regulations, will support follow‑up actions from the initiative. 
